Remote Observing Manual - Revision history

WikiSysop at 07:46, 24 April 2017

2017-04-24T07:46:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:46, 24 April 2017
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	'''Tunneling ~~for INDI~~ with SSH'''		'''Tunneling with SSH'''

	Secure Shell permits tunneling through the firewalls to pass ports securely from one system to another.		Secure Shell permits tunneling through the firewalls to pass ports securely from one system to another.

	The ~~indiserver~~ uses ~~port 7624~~. To tunnel it through ssh, initiate a passwordless session		The vncserver for example uses ports 5901 and up. To tunnel it through ssh, initiate a passwordless session from the client to the server with this command line:
	from the client to the server with this command line:

	ssh -L ~~7624~~:localhost:~~7624~~ user@remoteserver		ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 user@remoteserver

	~~If you need to view graphical content from~~ the remote server~~, then add the -Y flag to enable trusted X11 forwarding~~		TightVNC has a built-in menu for port forwarding. Note that VNC ports do not currently forward properly when the remote host is running on a subnet of the SSH server.

	~~ssh -Y -L 7624:localhost:7624 user@remoteserver~~

John: /* Overview */

2010-06-11T21:07:27Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 11 June 2010
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	Acquire data all night long if needed, but monitor the environment for dew or frost, the sky for clouds or rain, and shut down if undesirable conditions arise.		Acquire data all night long if needed, but monitor the environment for dew or frost, the sky for clouds or rain, and shut down if undesirable conditions arise.

	As data ~~are acquired, insure that the data are streamed~~ to a server where they would be subsequently processed.		Stream data to a server where they would be subsequently processed.

	~~At dawn park~~ the telescope, turn off the camera or other instruments, close the dome, and send the observatory manager an email that all is well.		Park the telescope at dawn, turn off the camera and other instruments, close the dome, and send the observatory manager an email that all is well.

	Before settling down to ponder the next observing cycle, start the batch processing of this night's data on the remote server to dark subtract, flat field, add celestial coordinates, make entries in the management database, and do any photometric processing requested. The server would complete these tasks and notify the observers that their data are available.		Before settling down to ponder the next observing cycle, start the batch processing of this night's data on the remote server to dark subtract, flat field, add celestial coordinates, make entries in the management database, and do any photometric processing requested. The server would complete these tasks and notify the observers that their data are available.

	We do not have this capability yet, but we are working on it. While many of these tasks can be reliably done by the computers alone, it is still ~~desirable~~ for an observer to be virtually present during operation. In some cases, a remote observer may be accompanied by a telescope operator who is on site or is also running the instruments remotely.		We do not have this capability yet, but we are working on it. While many of these tasks can be reliably done by the computers alone, it is still sometimes helpful for an observer to be virtually present during operation if decisions have to be made during the night. In some cases, a remote observer may be accompanied by a telescope operator who is on site or is also running the instruments remotely.

	'''Remote Observing'''		'''Remote Observing'''

	~~In order for~~ remote users to have full control of the facilities they need secure access to the observatory network usually either through a Secure Shell (SSH) connection, or in a more limited way through a web server that acts as a communication hub for the remote user to autonomous software at the observatory. Videoconferencing telepresence is available between the observatories as well as to some campus locations to assist observers and operators. Skype with video also enables real-time interaction between remote observers and the observatory operator.		For remote users to have full control of the facilities they need secure access to the observatory network usually either through a Secure Shell (SSH) connection, or in a more limited way through a web server that acts as a communication hub for the remote user to autonomous software at the observatory. Videoconferencing telepresence is available between the observatories as well as to some campus locations to assist observers and operators. Skype with video also enables real-time interaction between remote observers and the observatory operator.

	'''Software'''		'''Software'''

John: /* Overview */

2010-06-11T20:49:30Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:49, 11 June 2010
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	When it is time and conditions are right open the dome and power up the telescope and its instruments. Send an email message to the observatory manager so that they will be aware the telescope is open and in use.		When it is time and conditions are right open the dome and power up the telescope and its instruments. Send an email message to the observatory manager so that they will be aware the telescope is open and in use.

	Acquire data all night long if needed, but monitor the environment for dew or frost, ~~and~~ the sky for clouds or rain and shut down if undesirable conditions arise.		Acquire data all night long if needed, but monitor the environment for dew or frost, the sky for clouds or rain, and shut down if undesirable conditions arise.

	As data are acquired, insure that the data are streamed to a server where they would be subsequently processed.		As data are acquired, insure that the data are streamed to a server where they would be subsequently processed.

John at 06:47, 11 June 2010

2010-06-11T06:47:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:47, 11 June 2010
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	The INDI system is also accessible on the command line with getINDI and setINDI issued on a system which has network access to the port which indiserver uses. With these commands scripted utilities handle routine tasks on the servers such as starting the observations or running a sequential queue of images.		The INDI system is also accessible on the command line with getINDI and setINDI issued on a system which has network access to the port which indiserver uses. With these commands scripted utilities handle routine tasks on the servers such as starting the observations or running a sequential queue of images.

	== ~~Connect to the Telescope Computer~~ ==		== Network Connections ==

	An observer must have an account on the ~~telescope~~ computer system, and must be working on a network enabling a Secure Shell (SSH) connection ~~to the observatory~~ with access to the ~~power control server~~. It is not necessary for the operator to be physically present at the observatory although in most cases the operator will at least be working within the university network because the external firewalls block access to ~~all~~ ports.		For complete control of all processes, an observer must have an account on the computer system that runs the telescope, and must be working through a network enabling a Secure Shell (SSH) connection also with access to the network devices. It is not necessary for the operator to be physically present at the observatory although in most cases the operator will at least be working within the university network because the external firewalls block access to most ports.

	A Virtual Private Network (VPN) account may enable this access from outside the universities because VPN users appear to our systems as being on campus originating from a specific range of known IP addresses. Note that the firewalls of both the University of Louisville and the University of Southern Queensland do not offer unlimited connectivity between campuses. For example, an operator at USQ who wants to run a telescope at Moore Observatory must have access to the remote observatory's INDI port, such as through a server on the USQ network at Mt. Kent. For this reason, remote observing between Australia and the US is best done from a campus or observatory location.		A Virtual Private Network (VPN) account may enable this access from outside the universities because VPN users appear to our systems as being on campus originating from a specific range of known IP addresses. Note that the firewalls of both the University of Louisville and the University of Southern Queensland do not offer unlimited connectivity between campuses. For example, an operator at USQ who wants to run a telescope at Moore Observatory must have access to the remote observatory's INDI port, such as through a server on the USQ network at Mt. Kent. For this reason, remote observing between Australia and the US is best done from a campus or observatory location.

John: /* Overview */

2010-06-11T06:42:12Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:42, 11 June 2010
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	'''Remote Observing'''		'''Remote Observing'''

	In order for remote users to have full control of the facilities they need secure access to the observatory network usually either through a Secure Shell (SSH) connection, or in a more limited way through a web server that acts as a communication hub for the remote user to autonomous software at the observatory. Videoconferencing telepresence is ~~also~~ available between the observatories as well as to some campus locations to assist observers and operators. Skype with video also enables real-time interaction between remote observers and the observatory operator.		In order for remote users to have full control of the facilities they need secure access to the observatory network usually either through a Secure Shell (SSH) connection, or in a more limited way through a web server that acts as a communication hub for the remote user to autonomous software at the observatory. Videoconferencing telepresence is available between the observatories as well as to some campus locations to assist observers and operators. Skype with video also enables real-time interaction between remote observers and the observatory operator.

	'''Software'''		'''Software'''

John: /* Overview */

2010-06-11T06:38:57Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:38, 11 June 2010
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	'''Software'''		'''Software'''

	A telescope and its instruments are devices on a local Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_Neutral_Distributed_Interface INDI]) network that communicates with clients through a flexible instrumentation server protocol that accommodates several devices and clients simultaneously. In this way a robotic system may manage many components, while observers also have control of the telescope as needed. The servers and the observers may make use of		A telescope and its instruments are devices on a local Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_Neutral_Distributed_Interface\| INDI]) network that communicates with clients through a flexible instrumentation server protocol that accommodates several devices and clients simultaneously. In this way a robotic system may manage many components, while observers also have control of the telescope as needed. The servers and the observers may make use of

	indiserver: a hub that talks to devices and to clients		indiserver: a hub that talks to devices and to clients

John: /* Overview */

2010-06-11T06:37:34Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:37, 11 June 2010
Line 34:		Line 34:
	'''Software'''		'''Software'''

	A telescope and its instruments are devices on a local Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_Neutral_Distributed_Interface \| INDI]) network that communicates with clients through a flexible instrumentation server protocol that accommodates several devices and clients simultaneously. In this way a robotic system may manage many components, while observers also have control of the telescope as needed. The servers and the observers may make use of		A telescope and its instruments are devices on a local Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_Neutral_Distributed_Interface INDI]) network that communicates with clients through a flexible instrumentation server protocol that accommodates several devices and clients simultaneously. In this way a robotic system may manage many components, while observers also have control of the telescope as needed. The servers and the observers may make use of

	indiserver: a hub that talks to devices and to clients		indiserver: a hub that talks to devices and to clients

John: /* Overview */

2010-06-11T06:36:26Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:36, 11 June 2010
Line 34:		Line 34:
	'''Software'''		'''Software'''

	A telescope and its instruments are devices on a local ~~Independent Device~~ Interface (INDI) network that communicates with clients through a flexible instrumentation server protocol that accommodates several devices and clients simultaneously. In this way a robotic system may manage many components, while observers also have control of the telescope as needed. The servers and the observers may make use of		A telescope and its instruments are devices on a local Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_Neutral_Distributed_Interface \| INDI]) network that communicates with clients through a flexible instrumentation server protocol that accommodates several devices and clients simultaneously. In this way a robotic system may manage many components, while observers also have control of the telescope as needed. The servers and the observers may make use of

	indiserver: a hub that talks to devices and to clients		indiserver: a hub that talks to devices and to clients

John: /* Connect to the Telescope Computer */

2010-06-11T06:31:46Z

Connect to the Telescope Computer

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:31, 11 June 2010
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	== Connect to the Telescope Computer ==		== Connect to the Telescope Computer ==

	~~The operator~~ must have an account on the telescope computer system, and must be working on a network enabling a Secure Shell (SSH) connection to the observatory with access to the power control server. It is not necessary for the operator to be physically present at the observatory although in most cases the operator will at least be working within the university network because the external firewalls block access to all ports.		An observer must have an account on the telescope computer system, and must be working on a network enabling a Secure Shell (SSH) connection to the observatory with access to the power control server. It is not necessary for the operator to be physically present at the observatory although in most cases the operator will at least be working within the university network because the external firewalls block access to all ports.

	A Virtual Private Network (VPN) account may enable this access from outside the universities because VPN users appear to our systems as being on campus originating from a specific range of known IP addresses. Note that the firewalls of both the University of Louisville and the University of Southern Queensland do not offer unlimited connectivity between campuses. For example, an operator at USQ who wants to run a telescope at Moore Observatory must have access to the remote observatory's INDI port, such as through a server on the USQ network at Mt. Kent. For this reason, remote observing between Australia and the US is best done from a campus or observatory location.		A Virtual Private Network (VPN) account may enable this access from outside the universities because VPN users appear to our systems as being on campus originating from a specific range of known IP addresses. Note that the firewalls of both the University of Louisville and the University of Southern Queensland do not offer unlimited connectivity between campuses. For example, an operator at USQ who wants to run a telescope at Moore Observatory must have access to the remote observatory's INDI port, such as through a server on the USQ network at Mt. Kent. For this reason, remote observing between Australia and the US is best done from a campus or observatory location.

John: /* Overview */

2010-06-11T06:30:23Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:30, 11 June 2010
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	xmdome: a dome rotation and shutter control panel		xmdome: a dome rotation and shutter control panel

			The INDI system is also accessible on the command line with getINDI and setINDI issued on a system which has network access to the port which indiserver uses. With these commands scripted utilities handle routine tasks on the servers such as starting the observations or running a sequential queue of images.
	The INDI system is also accessible on the command line with getINDI and setINDI issued on a system which has network access to the port which indiserver uses. With these commands ~~a number of~~ scripted utilities ~~have been built to~~ handle routine tasks on the servers such as starting the observations or running a sequential queue of images.

	== Connect to the Telescope Computer ==		== Connect to the Telescope Computer ==